Wexford companies at Paris event

TWO Wexford companies have attended a food showcase event in Paris.

Slaney Foods, in Bunclody, and Irish Country Meats, from Camolin, were among 35 exporters that attended SIAL International Food Fair in Paris last weekend.

The event is the biggest business-to-business (B2B) trade event in the world and this year there was added significance to it as the focus of attention was firmly placed on European exporters preparing for the fall-out of Britain leaving the EU and how it will affect them.

While Brexit is likely to impact on all food and drink sectors, exporters from the Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) category could be particularly exposed and this category accounted for 30 per cent of the Irish companies represented at SIAL.

Minister Andrew Doyle TD accompanied the Irish delegates to the event and in advance of the trip he highlighted the importance of the event and also the confidence companies here have that they will be able to meet the challenges presented to them by Brexit.

‘The fact that a third of those [attending] are first time exhibitors at SIAL demonstrates clearly the strategy to shift away from reliance on one market [and] opening up to opportunities in Europe and further afield to reduce their risk to trading volatilities,’ he said.

Bord Bia Chairman Dan Mac Sweeney paid tribute to the Irish farmers and food processors whose continuous drive for excellence under the Sustainable Assurance Schemes and the Origin Green Charter set Ireland apart from competitors at SIAL in providing solutions to international buyers.